Ganryu-jima Island
Quick Facts
- Location
- Japan
- Category
- Beach & Island
- Duration
- 30-60 min on the island, excluding ferry waits
- Opening Hours
- Daily 00:00-24:00 · The uninhabited island is open at all hours; ferries from Karato Pier run 09:00-16:00 and may stop in rough weather or thin out in winter
- Ticket Price
- Free Admission: Free to land · Kanmon Kisen return fare JPY 900 adults, JPY 450 children
- Address
- 648 Funashima, Hikoshima, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Coordinates
- 33.9300, 130.9500
Introduction
Ganryu-jima is officially Funashima, a flat, uninhabited island in the Kanmon Strait with a 1.6 km shoreline and a highest point under ten metres. It is famous for one event: on 13 April 1612 Miyamoto Musashi is said to have defeated Sasaki Kojiro, master of the 'Turning Swallow' cut, here with a wooden sword. The island's popular name honours the loser's school, Ganryu. The ground has changed since: reefs were blasted in the Taisho era and landfill later expanded the island to six times its duel-era size. A few minutes from the pier, the plaza holds facing bronze statues of the two swordsmen, unveiled in 2002 and 2003, the 1910 Sasaki Ganryu memorial and a literary stele; a recreated boat sits on the artificial beach below. There are toilets and a shelter but no shops or vending machines, swimming is banned, and there is no land link: the only way here is by ferry.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Monday | 00:00-24:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 00:00-24:00 |
| Wednesday | 00:00-24:00 |
| Thursday | 00:00-24:00 |
| Friday | 00:00-24:00 |
| Saturday | 00:00-24:00 |
| Sunday | 00:00-24:00 |
The uninhabited island is open at all hours; ferries from Karato Pier run 09:00-16:00 and may stop in rough weather or thin out in winter
Ticket Information
| Free Admission | Free to land |
|---|
Kanmon Kisen return fare JPY 900 adults, JPY 450 children
Transportation
Bus 7 min from JR Shimonoseki to Karato
Paid parking near Karato Pier
Kanmon Kisen ferry 10 min from Karato; Moji-ko sailings run weekends and holidays only
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Ganryu-jima Island?
Monday: 00:00-24:00; Tuesday: 00:00-24:00; Wednesday: 00:00-24:00; Thursday: 00:00-24:00; Friday: 00:00-24:00; Saturday: 00:00-24:00; Sunday: 00:00-24:00; The uninhabited island is open at all hours; ferries from Karato Pier run 09:00-16:00 and may stop in rough weather or thin out in winter
How much is the admission for Ganryu-jima Island?
Free Admission: Free to land; Kanmon Kisen return fare JPY 900 adults, JPY 450 children
How long should I spend at Ganryu-jima Island?
A typical visit takes 30-60 min on the island, excluding ferry waits.
How do I get to Ganryu-jima Island?
Bus: Bus 7 min from JR Shimonoseki to Karato; Driving/Parking: Paid parking near Karato Pier
